Theatrical trick-performing platform



A E-39, 3929. s. s. SWOYER L J THEATRICAL TRICK PERFORMING PLATFORM Filed Dec. 20, 1926 lNVENfl'OR Patented Apia. 9, 1929 nsrrsn stares iaeaise r @FWQE, I

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STEWART s. orse, or Los ivennns, cemronnra.

THEATRICAL TRICK-PERFORMING PLATFORM,

I Application filed December 20, 1926; Serial No. 155,876.

This invention relates to apparatus to be used in the theatrical profess1on,-part1cularly by vaudeville performers whose acts are featured or accompanied by acrobatic stunts or tricks. I

One of the tricks performed by myself during the presentation-of my present act to start to run up one edge of the proscenium arch of the theatre and terminate the run by a somersault or back flop. This trick is very effective but in soine theatres the arches are not located vith respect .to the foot light trough and the stage so as to end thereof and in transverse alinement therewith at thebottom, on which the performer carries out the above mentioned trick and which is so arranged to give the same effect to the audience as if the performer actually engaged the proscenium arch itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for rigidly holding the platform in the desired pos' there is no chance of the device slipping and throwing the performer, while at the sam. time allowing for instant removal of the platform when the act is finished so not to interfere in any way with the artists following on the bill. The device also very lighh whilo rugged and substantial, and is capable of being folded up into a very compact form when not in use so that it may be easily transported from place to place.

A further ob'ect of the invention is toproduce a simple and IDQXPGDSIVG (lGVlCQ. and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as wih fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar character of ref erence indicate corresponding parts in the several views: 7'

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective outline of a proscenium arch and stage showing my platform mounted in position relative to the arch.

' ment with the bottom of the arch.

- feet of the performer.

.ion and angle so that Fig. 2 is'a perspective view of the platform as set up looking from the back thereof. Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the

numeral 1 denotes the platform itself, a rigid,

flat rectangular member of suitable diinen $10118, preferably about 18 inches x 7 feet. The platform is adapted to be set in a comparatively vertical position just back of and close to the proscenium arch 2, so that the lower narrow edge of the platform which rests on the stage 3 is in transverse aline- The platform is preferably covered on its operating face with rubber or the like so as to provide a non-slip surface for engagement with the The platform is supported in the above named position by a pair of legs or supporting members i which are pivotally connected tothe platform at the back and near the top thereof and which when set up depend to ward the floorat a suitable angle to theplatform. Intermediatev the ends the legs are braced together by diagonal straps 5 or the like and on their lower ends carry downwardly projecting spikes 6 to bite into the floor of the stage, which isalways of wood. The platform and legs are connected together intermediate their ends so as to maintain them in definite angular relation by horizontal hook bars 7 pivoted onto the legs at one end andadapted at their hook ends to engage orificed plates 8 attached to and projecting from the back of the platform.

In order to positively prevent slipping of the platform along the stage when a hori- I zontal mac-rating pressure is applied there against by reason. of the contact of the per former therewith, IlIlOlll'lll a rigid tongue 9 on the back of the platform at the bottom to detachably enter the opening formed in a socket member 10. This socket member is provided with horizontal side flanges 11 which rest on the floor. and which are detachably secured to said floor by suitable means such as lag'screws 12. The socket member remains fixed on the floor in its proper position all the time the act is playing at any theatre, but the platform itself is taken down after every performance, merely by tilting the same upwardly to. disengage the leg spikes from the floor and then moving the platform forwardly to slip the'tongue out of the socket. There is then no interference with the acts of subsequent performers, since the socket member is so small and is so close to'the arch that it is not in anybodys Way. j

It will therefore be seen that when set up the platform is solidly held. at the-bottom against sliding movement transversely or in a direction away from the application of pressure, The leg members prevent moves ment of the upper portion of the platform and hold the same rigidly as is necessary. also the floor engaging soilces prevent the whole ap'paratusfrom moving so as to-icainse thetongue land socket a5 be disengaged.

hen the apparatus is taken down the hook bars are disengaged from their orificed plates and the legs are folded inst the platform. The device is then in a very compact form, as will be evident so that it may be easily transported.

The positioning of the platform relative to the arch is such that an illusory effect on the audience is obtained, and said audience imagines that the actor performing the tricks on the platform is in reality using the pro-- sceninn'rarch; Ifdesired, in order to disguise the platform and render the same practically mdistinguishable from any angle in front, I may paint or otherwise color the exposed surface of the platform the same as ,I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. Aftheatrical platform for t forming operations comprising a plat-form element to stand in a substantially upright 130511 31011 from a stage floor and adapted tosupport the Weight of a performer thereon,

legs depending from the back of the platform to the floor at an angle to the platformand disconnect-able latching means between theil-eor and platform for preventing sliding. movement of the platform in; a direction away from the front face of the same.

2. A theatrical platform for tricleperformingoperation-s comprising a platform ele: ent to stand in a substantiall upright pee 'on and adapted to support t e Weight of a performer thereom-legs depending from the back of the platform at an angle thereto, spikes projecting downwardly from the bottom of the legs, toengage the floor and prevent sliding of. the legs along the floor, and additional disengageable latching means be'- tween the floor and platform for holding the latter a ainst movement in a certain three-- tion. V

3. A theatrical platform for Grimm oaera ins 001 P 'llS it a flat orm f D t o n 1 1 f element to stand inc-a substantially upright, position from a stage floor and adapted to support the Weight of a performer thereon, means for supporting the platform in suchposition, and means for detac'hably holding the platform against movement along the floor in one direction, such means-comprismg a socket member adapted-to be secured to the floor adjacent and at'theback of the platform, and a tongue fixed on the back of the platform socket. A i

In testimony whereof: I affix my signature:

STEWART. S. SVVOYER;

r trick-pento detachably engage the 

